Sound-box for talking-machines.



A. .D. JONES.

SOUND BOX FOR TALKING MACHINES. APPLICATION man NOV. 23, 1914.

1,275,936. Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

' 2 SHEETSSHEET l.

I ATTORNEYS A. D. JONES.

soumo BOX FOR TALKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23,19l4- I Patented Aug. 13, 1918 F 3 T 0 Q, a 9 2 00 P W E o Z up 9 9 m a 7 1 ATTORNEYS R o T N E V m 1% WM G10. @441 lll . 1 have in. .roivss, or PHILADELPHI :rmnvsvnvamh.

STATES OFFICE.

scrim-Box ron TALKING-MACHINEfi.

intense.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALVA D. J ones, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennlvania, have invented "a new and useful o'und-Box for Talking-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

In sound boxes for talking machines as generally constructed, it is well known that the same in use frequently emit a metallic or scratchy sound accompanying the reproduction of soundfrom the sound reproducing it'll tablet. u a

l have discovered as the result of an ex tensive series of experiments, that rubber when" properly cured to the requisite extent so as to"attain a degree of hardnessor re' Silie'IWy simulatin the condition of the hurnan throat or pa ate, possesses many characteristics of the human throat when employed for 'a sound reproducingagent, and

by constructing theoper'ative portion of. the

" sound box which coactswith the diaphragm,

till

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of a thickened, hardened wall of rubber or similar material and assembling the dia phragm with respect thereto, in such a way that said diaphragm is capable of the requisite movement at its outer and central portion's, l have produced adevice whereby the sound delivered from the diaphragm is greatly mellowed andimproved, and a clear and distinct articulation is obtained.

To the above ends, my invention consists "ofa novel construction of sound boxiwherein the principal portion thereof which c'ofipcrates with the diaphragm is constructed of a hardened and somewhat thickened wall of rubber or the like cured to a degree of hardness simulating the humanthroat or palate, said wall having secured thereto a metallic ring; plate or casting having thereon'arms provided with bearings for the stylus bar, whereby a device is cheaply produced hav' ing peculiar recordingor reproducing quali- 7 correspond1ng parts in the figures.

ties. and wherein any surface sounds 'or metall c or scratchy noises are eliminated or absorbed in said hardened, thickened wall .of the sound-box, the resultantdevice hav Specification of Letters Patent. 4

Application 'flled November 23,51914. serial li'o. 878,500.

' iiig thus provided for a Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

general improve-- ment of the vocal or instrumental tones, andamelioration of the surface noises, as well as of the scratchy metallic orsounds common in instruments 0ft is class, and provision is thus made for a faithful development and recording or reproduction of delicate sounds ordinarily diificult to reproduce, which are reproduced by my novel device with a maximum degree of fidelity andfaithfulness to the original. 1

For. the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings, certain forms thereof which are at present preferred by me, since the same will be found in practice to givesatisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described. l

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a sound box embodying my invention.

F1g. 2 represents a section on line M Fig. 1..

3 represents a sectional view of a modified form of construction embodying the principles seen in Fig. 1.

Flg. 4 represents a sectional view of another embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 5 represents a front elevation of Figs. 3 and 4, showing the preferred manner of mounting the stylus bar in its bearings.

Fig. 6 represents a sectional view of another embodiment of my invention.

Fig.- 7 represents a sectional view of the gasket device seen in Fig." 6, before the same is bent into the position fseen therein. Fig. %represents a. front view of the disk of Similar numerals of reference indicate Referring to the drawings Referring first to Fig. 2, 1 designates my novel construction of sound box, the same comprising the hardened, thickened disk .wall or body portion 2, which is preferably constructed of rubber or similar material,

lwhich is cured to a conditionclosely simulating the human throat or palate, said body inding the contiguous portion of the tube or tone arm 4.

5 designates a metallic ring which is provided with screw threads adapted to engage the exterior screw-threaded portion of the wall or body 2, said ring being provided with an annular, recessed portion 6, which provides room for the requisite play of the diaphragm 7, which is held between the rubber a-nnuli 8, the inner one of said annuli being seated in a suitable groove in the body portion 2, while the outer annulus 8 is contained within a suitable recess 9 contained in the overhanging flange. 10. The stylus bar 11 is secured to the diaphragm in any approved manner, and has at its lower portion a head 12, which is pivotally mounted between the pivot points 13 of the screws 14:, there being two of the latter which are in threaded or otherengagement with the bearings "15, which are carried on the arms 16 secured or cast upon the outer ring 5. If desired, a suitable cementing or adhesive material or composition may be interposed between the contiguous threaded portions of the ring 5 and the body portion 2. so that when these parts 'are assembled, they will be permanently and rigidly connected together, so that no chattering or vibration will be possible by reason of the union of the metal or other'ring 5 with the thickened, hardened rear wall or disk 2 of rub her or other suitable material.

In the construction seen in Fig. 3, 16 designates the hardened wall or body portion of rubber or similar material, the same being inclosed by the outer ring 17, which may be of metal or similar material, there being a lining of cement 18 interposed between the ring 17 and the outer periphery of the rubber wall or disk 16.

19 designates the rear wall of the box, which may be of metal or similar material, and is secured to the ring 17 by the screws 20 or similar-fastening devices, there being a layer of cementing material or the like 20 interposed between the wall 19 and the rear.

of said hardened disk 16. 21 designates a neck or extension which is adapted to engage the tone'arm 4, and which may be secured to the rear wall 19 of the disk by means of the fastening devices 22, which pass through a flange 23. The diaphragm 7 is held in position between the inner and outer annuli 8, which are constructed 'and located substantially as already described with reference to Fig. 2, the inner annulus 8 being seated in an annular groove in the hardened rubber wall or disk 16, while the outer annulus 8 being contained within a groove or seat 9 of the overhanging flange.

10, said parts 9 and 10 being constructed and located substantially as already described with respect to Fig. 2. The stylus bar 11 may be secured to the diaphragm 7 by any with the hardened or jewel bearings 26,

which are carried in the threaded stems 27, which are in threaded engagement with or mounted in the bearings 28, which are cast or otherwise secured to the metal ring 17 by the arms 29.

In Fig. 4, 30 designates the hardened,

resilient, disk, wall or body portion of the sound box, the same being provided with the flanged member 31, which terminates in the downwardly inturned, annular flange 32, between which latter and the body portion are secured the annuli 8, of the same construction as already described, whereby the diaphragm 7 is at all times held in proper position, a recess 33 being provided so that the diaphragm is capable of a slight longitudinal play, as is the case in the construction seen in Figs. 2 and 3. 34: designates the rear wall of the sound box, which may be composed of metal, and is preferably in threaded engagement with the hardened rubber portion 30 by means of the neck or extension 35, whereby the parts 30 and 34. can be assembled by merely screwing them together, there being cementing material employed between the contignous walls of said members 30 and 3 1 of the character already described in Fig. 3, if desired. After the parts 30 and 34 are assembled, they may be held in position by means of dowel pins, screws or the like 38, if desired.

36 designates arms projecting forwardly from the rear walls 34, which may be cast or otherwise secured thereto, said arms terminating in suitable bearings 37 which are of substantially the same construction as the bearings 28 heretofore described with reference to Figs. 3 and 5, and the stylus bar 11 seen in Fig. 4 may be equipped with the pivotal jewel mounting seen in Fig. 5, if desired.

It will be seen that in all the embodiments of my invention, I employ a somewhat thickened, hardened resilient wall, as 2, 16 or 30, the function of which in each instance is' to absorb all surface noises or metallic, scratchy sounds, the resultant vocal and instrumental sounds being recorded or reproduced in a pleasing and effective manner with a maximum degree of fidelity to the original. The metallic portions 5, 17 and 19 may be nickeled or gold-plated if desired, thereby adding greatly to the attractive appearance of the device.

It will further be seen that in all the embodiments ofmy invention, the metallic members, as the rings 5 and 17 in the case of Figs. 2 and 3, or the rear wall 34 in the case of Fig. 4, have cast or secured directly thereto, the supporting arms, wherein the lower portion of the stylus bar is mounted so that my device can be very cheaply and expeditiously manufactured, and the number of parts will be reducedto a minimum.

The manner of attaching the sound box seen in Fig. 4 to the tone arm 4 will be substantially the same as that already described with respect to Fig. 3.

In the construction seen in Fig. 2, the opening 39 through the sound box body is in alinement with the tube 4, said opening 39, in the two latter figures, being 1n almement with the passage leading to the tube or tone I arm already described.

It will be apparent that while I have described the material of which my sound box body is composed as being referably of rubber cured to a degree simuating the human throat or palate, I do not desire to be limited thereto in every instance, as I may employ any other suitable plastic material capable of being cured or hardened to the required degree and having properties similar to rubber or its equivalent. I have therefore employed the term rubber or its equivalent, as a generic designation of any material which has the general characteristics of rubber when used as a reproducing agent, such as celluloid, bakelite, electrose, wood fiber, or the like, all of which I have found in practice to possess substantially the same acoustical roperties as hard rubber, and it will be rt er understood that by the generic term rubber I comprehend rubber commingled or cured with the usual or any other desired ingredients which will produce a structure or substance simulating hard rubber or its equivalent.

In Fi 6, I have shown another embodiment 0 my invention, wherein 40 designates the sound box, the rear disk, wall or body 41 thereof being composed of hardened, resilient material such as rubber or the like, and the same being provided with the rearwardly extending neck or extension 42, which may be softer than said body portion 41 so as to frictionally engage the tone arm 4. The extension 42 has the passage 43 therein, which is open at its rear portion, but closed at its forward portion, the sound waves being communicated to said passage 43 by means of the converging sound conveying ports or passages 44, which extend from the front face 45 of the disk or wall 411 and converge into the sound conve ing passage 43. The diaphragm 7 is he] between the annular beads or convex portions 46 and 47 of the diaphragm retaining member 48, the initial construction of the latter being apparent from Fig. 7 ,said diaphragm retaining member comprising the wall 49, which terminates in the convex or head like portions 46 and 47 ,which have the passages 50 therethrough, said diaphragm retaining member, being held in position against the front face 45 of the disk or hardened rubher wall 41 by means of the flange 51 of the ring 52, which may be in threaded or other engagement with the outer eriphery of the disk or wall 41, any suita 1e adhesive or cementing material, such as shellac, or the like, being interposed between the threaded portions of the ring 52 and the disk or wall 41. a

In practice, I prefer to lay out the convergin sound conveying ports or passages 44 so t at theconjoint area of the same will be substantiall the same as the area of the passage 43 in the extension 42. The manner of constructing the diaphragm retaining member 48 will be apparent from Fig. 7 the same being made inltially in the form 0 a strip, which can be cut off to the desired lengths and bent into the position seenin Fig. 6. By means of this construction, an eflicient and durable diaphragm retaining device is produced which will permit the diaphragm to have the requisite amount of vibration at its outer as well as at its inner portions.

I have deemed it unnecessary to show the manner of attaching and supporting the stylus bar and its adjuncts in connection w1th Fi 6, as any of the constructions here-- tofore escribed may be employed or any otherapproved manner of mounting the stylus bar and its adjuncts.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by the employment of the converging sound conveyin ports or passages 44, the action of the diaphragm 7 throughout its entire areais not retarded, but it is allowed to vibrate uniformly throughout its entire area so that any crackling or improper bending or vibration of the same is revented, and the sounds reproduced will e distributed and discharged from the en tire area of the diaphragm in converging lines toward the opening or passage 43 and thence to the desired point.

It will also be apparent that any choking between any portion of the diaphragm 7 and the front face 45 of the rear wall will be prevented, which is a common occurrence in sound boxes of the prior art with which I am familiar.

It will now be apparent that I have de vised a novel and useful construction of a sound box for talking machines which embodies the features of advanta e enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and while I have in the present instance, shown and described preferred embodiments thereof which will various particulars without departing from v averne the spirit or soopeofthe invention or sacri 'ficing any of. its advantages.

an extension of softer material on the rear Wall of said disk adapted to engage a tonearm, a sound conveying passage in said ex tension open at its rear and closed at its front portion, and aplurality of sound conveying passages converging from the front I face of said disk to said passage in said -15 extension.-

2. In a sound box, a rear Wall, comprising a. disk of hardened rubber, an integral extension of softer rubber on said disk adapted to engage a tone arm, a sound conveying passage in said extension, open at its rear and closed at its front portion, and'a plurality of 1 sound conveying passages converging from the front face of said disk to said passage in said extension.

3. In a sound box, a rear wall, comprising a disk of hardened rubber, an integral extension of softer rubber on said disk adapted to engage a tone arm, a sound conveying passubstantially the same as sage in said extension, open at its rear and closed at its front portion, and a plurality of sound conveying passages converging from the front face of said disk to said passage in said extension, the area of said plurality of. sound conveying assages being substantially the same as tie area of said passage in said extension.

4. In a'sound box, a rear wall, comprising a disk of hardened rubber, an integral extension of softer rubber on said disk adapted to engage a tone arm, a sound conveying passa e in said extension, open at its rear and c osed at its front portion, and a plurality of sound conveying assages converging from the front face of said disk to said passage in said extension, the area of said plurality of sound conveying passages bein I t e area of sai passage in said extension, in combination With a diaphragm and means for securing said diaphragm in juxtaposition to said front, face of,said disk.

ALVA D. JONES.

Witnesses:

G. D. MGVAY, M. E. BYRNE.

Gotten of thiu patent maybe obtained (or five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latent Washington, D. O." 

